1. Matsui once was on The Yankees
2. The Yankees just missed out on the top 2010 free agent Cliff Lee.

]]>By: JBerardihttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2010/12/14/the-athletics-are-on-the-verge-of-signing-hideki-matsui/#comment-98004
Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:44:07 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=31004#comment-98004So, which market inefficiency does this move exploit?
]]>By: raiderdavehttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2010/12/14/the-athletics-are-on-the-verge-of-signing-hideki-matsui/#comment-97552
Mon, 13 Dec 2010 23:54:34 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=31004#comment-97552Jack Cust being non-tendered (again) and Hideki Matsui being signed is the result of an over zealous team wanting so badly to win and compete, but not having enough resources to do so in today’s MLB having to settle after being ignored and spurned by their top targets.

It’s unfortunate, but as is being an A’s fan these days. I welcome him aboard, but I expect his stats from last year (.274 BA, 21 HR, 84 RBI) to more accurately reflect our DH’s stats last year (.246 BA, 15 HR, 74 RBI) this year as he moves to the massive confines of the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Either way, having an everyday DH who is a legitimate power threat with a decent batting average (for Oakland A’s standards) will be an improvement for a club who hung around in the AL West until a week to go in the regular season.

]]>By: apbaguyhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2010/12/14/the-athletics-are-on-the-verge-of-signing-hideki-matsui/#comment-97361
Mon, 13 Dec 2010 16:55:16 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=31004#comment-97361As Oakland moves to compete for 3rd place (out of 4) in the Western Division.
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